Patriots offer trade-in for fans with Aaron Hernandez jerseys

FOXBOROUGH (AP) — The New England Patriots are offering a new jersey to all fans who want to get rid of the one they bought with Aaron Hernandez’s name on it.

Hernandez is being held in jail on charges of first-degree murder. He has pleaded innocent. The team has released him and taken all Hernandez jerseys off the shelf at its souvenir store at Gillette Stadium.

The team says fans can come to their store at the stadium on the weekend of July 6-7 for a free jersey of comparable value.

“We know that children love wearing their Patriots jerseys, but may not understand why parents don’t want them wearing their Hernandez jerseys anymore,” said New England Patriots spokesperson Stacey James. “We hope this opportunity to exchange those jerseys at the Patriots ProShop for another player’s jersey will be well received by parents.”